Teaching ESL/EFL Reading

Did you realize that reading is one of the most important skills you can teach? The skill of reading not only gives your students what they need to be successful learners, but it also makes them more self-confident and eager to learn their whole life long. It's truly at the core of the other language skills—listening, speaking, writing, and grammar. In this course, you'll learn how to show your students the value of reading to motivate them to become strong readers.

We'll look at ways to help your students develop a fluent reading rate and use strategies for reading successfully. And we'll round out our time together by discussing how to plan effective lessons, design a strong reading curriculum, select appropriate reading materials, and assess students to encourage their growth. If you would like to pass a passion for reading on to your students, then this is the course for you!

6 Weeks / 24 Course Hrs

Starting October 18, 2017

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Offered in Partnership with your Preferred School

Anne Arundel Community College
Why this school? It's been chosen based on your location or if you've visited this school's website.

Learn to effectively teach students one of the most important skills they can learn

Become a more confident teacher as you learn the skills you need to successfully teach reading

Teaching ESL/EFL Reading Outline

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Week 1

Discover how central reading is to all the other language skills: listening, speaking, writing, and grammar. And you'll learn about four things you can do to become a more effective reading teacher. Then, explore a model for motivation, and you'll discover 10 strategies for motivating, engaging, and inspiring your students.

Week 2

In this lesson, you'll become aware of the key issues that go into first and second language literacy for both children and adults. Then, learn what intensive reading is and why it's so important. You'll also get a list of 29 reading skills you can choose from, as well as add to! And you'll get to explore several effective ways to teach these skills to your students and help them become strong and independent readers of English.

Week 3

Discover 10 characteristics of extensive reading, why it's so valuable, and how you can select appropriate reading materials. Then, learn what goes into building a student’s vocabulary, and you'll uncover several myths connected with teaching it.

Week 4

In this lesson, you'll explore four tools for developing your students' reading comprehension: think-aloud protocols, Questioning the Author (QtA), graphic organizers, and Justify Your Comprehension. Then, discover what an optimal reading rate is, and you'll get the chance to explore three activities that will increase your students' reading speed and improve their comprehension.

Week 5

Learn the important difference between a reading strategy and a reading skill. Then, you'll see why you can't automatically default to a textbook for your lesson plan. You'll also discover the seven steps for successful lesson planning, including how to integrate other language skills into a reading lesson and how to create truly helpful objectives.

Week 6

You'll begin by seeing what goes into designing a strong reading curriculum. You'll get 12 criteria for evaluating a textbook—whether you're selecting it or reviewing it. And you'll come away with new ideas for supplementing your text with real-world resources. Finally, we'll wrap up our course by looking at three different kinds of tests: formative, summative, and standardized.

Dr. Neil J Anderson is a Professor of Linguistics and English Language at Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. He also serves as the Coordinator of the English Language Center. He teaches courses in the TESOL Master's program as well as language classes to second language learners. His research interests include second language reading, language learner strategies, and English Language Teaching leadership development. Professor Anderson has taught and presented papers and workshops in over 25 countries. He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of over 40 books, book chapters, and professional articles, among them Second Language Reading Research and Instruction: Crossing the Boundaries (2009, The University of Michigan Press), Milestones (2009, Heinle), Exploring Second Language Reading: Issues and Strategies (1999, Heinle), ELT Advantage: Reading (2006, Heinle), ACTIVE Skills for Reading (2007/2008 Heinle), Practical English Language Teaching: Reading (2008, McGraw-Hill), and Second Language Reading Research and Instruction: Crossing the Boundaries (2009, The University of Michigan Press, co-edited with Z.-H. Han). Professor Anderson served as President of the international association of Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, Inc. from 2001-2002. During 2002-2003 he was a Fulbright Scholar conducting research and teaching in Costa Rica. He also served on the Board of Trustees for The International Research Foundation for English Language Education from 2004-2008.

Charletta Bowen

Charletta Bowen will be your facilitator in the Discussion Areas. She is an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and has been teaching ESL for 30 years. She currently teaches advanced level students at a university in the U.S.

Teaching ESL/EFL Reading Requirements / Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course.

Teaching ESL/EFL Reading Frequently Asked Questions

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When can I get started?

A new session of each course opens each month, allowing you to enroll whenever your busy schedule permits!

How does it work?

Once a session starts, two lessons will be released each week, for the six-week duration of your course. You will have access to all previously released lessons until the course ends.

How long do I have to complete each lesson?

Keep in mind that the interactive discussion area for each lesson automatically closes 2 weeks after each lesson is released, so you’re encouraged to complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

What if I need an extension?

The Final Exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the Final Exam has been released, you will have 2 weeks plus 10 days to complete the Final and finish any remaining lessons in your course. No further extensions can be provided beyond these 10 days.